Editor's note: Unfortunately, Wetoku is no longer available. Lisa Dabbs suggests trying out Skype's side-by-side functionality to achieve a similar result. Since Skype has no built-in recording function, there are a variety of third-party software options you can use. Lisa has worked with Evaer Video Recorder for this purpose, and in this blog post, "How to Create a Split-Screen Video Call Recording on Skype," consultant Danielle Keister explains the process using either Super Tin-Tin for PC or E-camm for MAC. These links are provided for convenience, and are not an endorsement from Edutopia.

Week 4: Using Wetoku in the Classroom

What is Wetoku?

Wetoku is a web service or Web 2.0 tool out of Korea that provides a simple platform for interviewing someone via the Internet. Collaborating globally is a must for our students and as result interviewing can be a challenge. Wetoku makes doing an interview as easy as filling out some basic information, creating an interview session and then sending the creative interview session's URL to the interviewee. Once the recording is done, the interviewer can embed the copy of the URL into a blog or website. You will need a web-cam for this tool.

This is a screenshot of an interview I did with my son, Jason. You'll see that your account name, show title, date, time, number of views so far, are displayed on the top of the screen. Your full name and that of your interviewee are also displayed live on the bottom of the screen. It's a great tool, and I've used it with much success!

Introducing Dave Dodgson

Dave is an elementary school teacher in Turkey teaching EFL (English as a Foreign Language). Take a read about his approach to using Wetoku in the classroom.

From Dave: Wetoku's split screen feature makes it perfect for interviews and that's exactly how I used it with my fourth grade English class here in Turkey last year. We had been reading an adapted version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and we had a related project about the state of Kansas to do. Through Twitter, I found out a member of my PLN from Brazil had spent time in Kansas as an exchange student and still visited her host family there from time to time. She agreed to be interviewed and I set my students the tasks of preparing questions they wanted to ask.

Wetoku was ideal for the interview for a few couple of reasons. First of all, the split-screen feature offered the best visual format. Also, as Wetoku is web-based, we didn't need any extra software like Skype (which isn't installed on the class computer anyway). Finally, the recording is broadcast live (so absent students could still tuned in if necessary) and is immediately archived for future viewing.

Once set up, the students took turns to introduce themselves and ask their questions. As English is a foreign language for them, they struggled to understand the answers a little but, as the whole session was recorded, they were able to re-watch it several times later, which gave them some great authentic listening practice!

We also made use of the archived interview by embedding it on the fourth grade's English wiki site, thus making it available to the entire year group. The kids really enjoyed having a guest "beamed into our classroom" and got a lot out of the experience!

Assignment 1: Create your own Wetoku

Set up a personal Wetoku account. Follow all the account set-up steps.

Explore the Wetoku's that have been created on the site by other users.

Practice creating a show alone and/or with a colleague or family member.

To create a show start by clicking the blue "Showtime" button on the top of the page.

Next decide to do a single show or interview show. For single show click on the "Live" tab and fill in the info. For interview show click the "Interview" tab. Decide on your privacy setting.(May want to do "private" URL feature first, before you go public.) Click the "next" button.

Wetoku will ask you to allow your webcam to connect. Click "allow". Click the large "OK" button. You'll now be in your show. (You can't edit a Wetoku, so practice makes perfect!)

Okay, you are "On Air". In a "Single Live" show, click the start button to begin. In an "Interview" show, you must send the URL link and password displayed that was created for your show to your interviewee before you can start your show. They click on the link, use the password, then they appear in your split screen. (No account needed for guests to be interviewed.)

Once you click the start button, you will see the red record button on, which means you are recording. Click stop when you have completed your show.

When you stop recording, your screen will go dark. (If you have a guest, they will no longer appear on your split screen.) You can now watch the show on your channel. If you interviewed someone, send them the link created, so that they can see the show.

Wetoku link can be shared Globally, so don't be afraid to reach out as you practice.

Use headphones for your interviews or shows! This will eliminate echo.

Create a Wetoku show!

Assignment 2: Post Your Wetoku to the Wiki

Go to Wetoku

Sign in to your account

Copy the embed code for a Wetoku show that you created

Go to your page on the wiki

Click "edit page"

Click on the Widget -> "embed widget" in the tool bar on your page

In this widget menu click "other" -> "other html"

Paste your wetoku code in the html box on this page

Click Save and a widget will now be on your page

Click Save again and your Wetoku will now appear on your page!

Thanks to Dave for the great idea of how a new teacher might begin to explore the use of this great video communication tool!

About Dave Dodgson

Dave Dodgson works in a private elementary school in Turkey teaching EFL (English as a Foreign Language) in the fourth and fifth grades as well as running the school's wiki pages. He is currently nearing completion of an MA in Educational Technology and TESOL with the University of Manchester. He is an active blogger and you can find him on Twitter as well (@DaveDodgson).

Thank you Lisa. It's so easy to learn with you! Thank you for sharing, everything seems easy when you explain things. I'm a teacher working with teenagers and adults and just give one to one classes at home but love to learn and I try to put ideas into practice but little by little. Everything is so new and challenging for me, but must confess I enjoy it.
From Buenos Aires send you a hug and again thank you and thank you for all your help to all teachers.
Debbie

Debbie, I'm humbled by your kind words. My passion is to mentor and support new teachers and those who aren't new, but truly want to grow.I hope to do it in a more public way, moving forward. Hugs to you from So Cal and thank you for joining us in the Boot Camp journey!
Best to you,
Lisa

Wetoku! Fun to say, fun to use, although I must admit I probably recorded five different versions before I posted one! I guess speaking without a script on a webcam is not one of my finest skills, practice is important with this tool! I like this tool for the video podcasting service, for the fact it is free with no downloads needed, and because it is so simple to use, oh and of course the collaborative interview feature is beyond wonderful! So here is the link to my wikispaces profile: http://edutopia-ntbootcamp.wikispaces.com/Alicia+Schordine

I enjoyed this and find it really interesting. I was thinking this would be great in high school when kids are learning about resumes and interviews and such. This would be a great practice. In Middle School I have no idea. In elementary school, I have no idea. If someone could share?

I definitely agree with some of the comments. The split screen makes this a great tool for students. Last year we had some projects going on that used SKYPE and the picture-in-picture format was good but this could be even better. Great way for students to conduct interviews when one is a historical figure and the other the interviewer. I also think this could be a good way for teachers to share how they are using technology in the classroom with each other. A moderator could ask questions or provide prompts for the teacher.

Lisa; I have really enjoyed getting to know how to use the new applications you have shown us. I am still working on getting a better wetoku than the one I am submitting, but there are a lot of ways that I can see using this in the classroom. My submission can be found: http://radicalion.wikispaces.com/Wetoku